BENDING OF PLATES

BENDING OF PLATES

This document describes an example that has been used to verify the behaviour of plates
in PLAXIS. The problem involves involves a concentrated load and a uniformly distributed
load on a plate.
Used version:
• PLAXIS 2D - Version 2011
• PLAXIS 3D - Version 2012
Input: In PLAXIS the structures cannot be used individually. A soil cluster is used to
create the geometry. Note that the properties of the material assigned to the soil do not
affect the results as the clusters will be deactivated in the calculation phase (Phase 1).
However assignment of a soil material to the clusters is required before generating the
mesh.
In PLAXIS 2D two plates of unit dimensions are used (1 x 1 m). In a plane strain model a
1m width is in the out of plane direction. Unit point and distributed loads are assigned to
the plates. The 2D model is shown in Figure 1. Point fixities are used at the end points of
the plates.

1.0 m 0.5 m 0.5 m 2.0 m 1.0 m 1.0 m

0.5 m

Figure 1 Loading scheme for testing plates (2D)

In PLAXIS 3D two plates of unit dimensions are used (1 x 1 m). Unit line and distributed
loads re assigned to the plates. Line prescribed displacements are assigned to model the
fixities (Figure 2).

1.0 m

1.0 m

1.0 m

1.0 m
0.5 m
0.5 m
1.0 m
1.0 m
1.0 m

Figure 2 Loading scheme for testing plates (3D)

Materials: The properties and the load of the plate in PLAXIS 2D model are:

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Elastic EA = 100000 kN EI = 83.33 kNm2

ν = 0.0 F = 100 kN q = 200 kN/m
The properties and the load of the plate in PLAXIS 3D model are:

d = 0.10 m E1 = 1·106 kNm2 ν = 0.0

G12 = 5·105 kNm2 F = 100 kN q = 200 kN/m
Meshing: The Very coarse option is selected for the Element distribution of the Global
coarseness. In the 2D model the geometry lines representing the plates are refined with
a Local element size factor of 0.5. In the 3D model the plates are refined with a Fineness
factor of 0.2.
Calculations: In the Initial phase zero initial stresses are generated by using the K0
procedure with Σ -Mweight equal to zero. A new calculation phase is introduced (Phase
1) and the Calculation type is set to Plastic analysis. The Reset displacements to zero is
selected and the Tolerated error for Iterative procedure is set to 0.001. In this phase the
soil clusters are deactivated and the plates are activated.
Output: The results of the calculations in PLAXIS 2D are plotted in Figures 3 to 5.

Point load: Mmax = 25.0 kNm umax = 25.60 mm

Distributed load: Mmax = 25.0 kNm umax = 31.85 mm

Figure 3 Computed distribution of moments

Figure 4 Computed shear forces

Figure 5 Computed displacements

The results of the calculations in PLAXIS 3D are plotted in Figures 6 to 8.

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 BENDING OF PLATES

Line load: Mmax = 25.0 kNm umax = 25.60 mm

Distributed load: Mmax = 25.0 kNm umax = 31.58 mm

Figure 6 Computed distribution of moments

Figure 7 Computed shear forces

Figure 8 Computed displacements

Verification: As a first verification, it is observed that PLAXIS yields the correct

distribution of moments. For further verification we consider the well-known formulas as
listed below. These formulas give approximately the values as obtained from the PLAXIS
analysis.
3
Point load: Mmax = 1 Fl = 25 kNm umax = 1 Fl + Q = 25.00 mm
4 48 EI GA
1 2 5 ql 4
Distributed load: Mmax = ql = 25 kNm umax = = 31.25 mm
8 384 EI
The well-known formulas consider only vertical displacement due to bending, whereas
the Mindlin element in PLAXIS 2D and PLAXIS 3D also involve shear deformation, which
leads to more vertical displacement.

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